Solo Female Travel & Lifestyle Blog

The Red Sea is one of the worlds top diving destinations as well as providing world class opportunities for other waters sports such as kite surfing and sailing. Its also home to a host of top class hotels offering affordable luxury with fantastic spas and excellent dining. Soma Bay Peninsula is the perfect Red Sea destination for luxury travelers who want to enjoy an Egyptian holiday with peace of mind. Security is taken seriously. There is one road leading in and out of the peninsula with a check point which staffed 24 hours a day to ensure only authorized vehicles and individuals are allowed through.

The hotels at Soma Bay share nearly 1km of pristine beach close to some of the Red Sea's best dive sites. Theres an impressive house reef for snorkelers and beginner divers to explore, as well as a host of other water sports, an award-winning championship golf course, tennis and squash facilities, and free kids clubs. Its ideal for family holidays and friends getaways as, between them, the different hotels cater to both active holiday makers and those who simply want to relax and soak up the sun.

The Kempinski

Proclaiming "European service with Egyptian hospitality" the sprawling, low rise Kempinski is one of the most luxurious hotels on the Red Sea. The hotels grand lobby wows guests with an expansive sunken lounge area with soaring ceiling, adjacent to the well-staffed check in desks. The 325 rooms and suites are built around a large pool and lazy river and many of the rooms offer beautiful views across the pool area to the Red Sea beyond.

The comfortable guest rooms have cool tiled floors, wooden fittings and stylish Arabian lanterns, and many have balconies where guest can sip a drink and take in the view. Fantastic views are also available from the hotels main restaurant, where the international buffet breakfast and dinners are served. Breakfast comes with free pour champagne for a truly luxurious start to the day.

The Kempinski offers a choice of six bars and restaurants offering Pan Asian, International and Italian cuisine as well as 24 hour room service. For a truly unforgettable dining experience, couples can enjoy a romantic meal right on the beach. Staff will set up a table allowing you to dine with your feet in the sand, the waves gently lapping nearby, as you enjoy the Kempinski chefs finest offerings by candlelight.

The Westin

One of the best golf courses in the region awaits guests at the Westin Golf Resort and Spa. The Gary Player-designed par 72 Cascades Golf Course surrounds the Westin, the stunning green of its perfectly tended fairways contrasting with the desert sands and the azure of the Red Sea. With 166 guest rooms the Westin still manages to feel intimate and is finished to a high standard throughout. Westins signature heavenly bed lives up its name but when free yourself from its gentle clutches youll find a champagne breakfast on a terrace overlooking the championship golf course awaits.

The hotel is home to the largest spa in the region, the huge and impressive Cascades spa. With international staff hailing from India, Thailand, Morocco and Bali, the range of treatments available in its 65 treatment rooms is wide and varied and begs for more than one visit. A stint in the 500m2 thalassotherapy pool being pummeled and rejuvenated by jets of warm sea water is also a must.

The Sheraton

Inspired by the architecture of one of Egypts most iconic sites, Karnak Temple in Luxor, the Sheraton occupies a prime spot on 800m of well-tended sandy beach. Its beautiful guest rooms are full of light with a soothing pastel dcor. The sea view rooms offer balconies which look out over the resort to the shimmering sea beyond whereas the spacious beach villas offer verdant landscaping and a private pool.

The hotel also offers a variety of eating and drinking option, including buffet breakfasts and dinners in L'Abydos Brasserie, a la carte Italian in LEmporio and casual wood fired pizzas at the beachside Copper Crescent Grill. There are several spots to quench your thirst but its hard to beat a relaxing sundowner while taking in the stunning views from the Solar Bar.

Robinson Club

Offering a mix of double rooms, family rooms and suites, the Robinson Club is a lively beachside hotel with honey-hued Arabesque architecture and palm tree-lined walk ways meandering through its grounds. Robinsons is designed to be an all-in-one destination and offers full board stays that include some activities at no extra charge for those prefer to be active in the day time before enjoying the hotels lively nightlife. Theres a well-equipped gym, a variety of fitness classes and free tennis courts. Also available for an additional fee is a host of water based activities such as diving, kite surfing, snorkeling and catamaran sailing.

After enjoying a leisurely dinner, perhaps including a dish from Robinsons special health-conscious food range, guests can enjoy some of the nightly entertainment. There are dance shows, adaptions of well-known musicals and films, and acrobatic performances la Cirque du Soleil. There are also occasional casino nights and DJ-led parties.

The Breakers Dive and Surfing Lodge

If you want to roll out of your bed and straight into your wet suit then Breakers with its friendly, laid back vibe is the place to lay your head. Located next door to the excellent Orca Dive Club, the hotel attracts active guests of all ages, many of whom are avid divers or kite surfers who count their visits in double figures. Most guest rooms have views of the Red Sea and the 400m jetty which leads out to the house reef. When its time to relax theres a roof garden with a Finnish sauna offering panoramic sea views, an open-air cinema, gym and a freshwater pool.

At night, dine in the outdoor Dolphin restaurant then head to one of the hotels bars, such as the Reef bar, a lively spot for some drinks and dancing. On some nights you may be lucky enough to find a barbeque and beach party in full swing on the hotels beach.

Candice Bain is Founder atDesert to Jungle.

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